The University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center will design and build the Energetic Heavy Ion Sensor (EHIS) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) third-generation weather satellites. The instrument will monitor energetic particles in space, helping refine computer models to predict space weather events.
The Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) has been adopted for operational use, predicting extreme weather with substantially improved accuracy. The high-resolution WRF serves both public forecasts and cutting-edge research, leading to better forecasts.
University of Utah meteorologist Ed Zipser leads a NASA mission to study African weather disturbances that intensify into hurricanes. The study aims to improve hurricane prediction and understanding of extreme events like category 5 storms.
A new radar technique is being tested to track water vapor in the lower atmosphere, helping forecasters predict storm locations and timing. The REFRACTT project uses multiple Doppler weather radars to measure changes in radar signals caused by refraction, revealing the presence or absence of atmospheric moisture.
A study by J. Marshall Shepherd found a significant increase in rainfall in arid cities like Phoenix and Riyadh due to urbanization and human activities. This change has real implications for water resource management, agricultural efficiency and urban planning.
Researchers aim to understand how prolonged space trips affect human immune systems by studying fruit flies on a Space Shuttle mission. The flies will be exposed to bacteria, fungi, and reduced gravity to determine if their weakened immune systems make them more susceptible to infection.
The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab will design and operate NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, which will study Earth's radiation belts and improve space weather forecasting. The mission aims to predict potentially hazardous space weather effects and better characterize planetary space environments.
The MIT SPHERES project aims to develop autonomous space vehicles that can maintain their positions via radio links, interacting almost constantly. The first critical test of the SPHERE is set for May 18 inside the space station, with two additional satellites scheduled to reach the station later this year.
The US Office of Naval Research supports the joint US-Taiwan COSMIC satellite project, which will track hurricanes, monitor climate change, and accelerate space weather research. The constellation will provide real-time atmospheric data daily.
The US has launched a constellation of six low-orbiting satellites called COSMIC to provide real-time atmospheric data over thousands of points on Earth. The system will measure the bending of radio signals from GPS to track hurricanes, typhoons and climate change.
A Purdue University researcher has developed a more accurate weather prediction model by incorporating the amount of moisture surface vegetation releases into the upper atmosphere. This new approach improved forecasts of storm intensity, location, and timing, leading to better severe weather predictions.
The team's collaborative efforts led to near real-time determination of upper atmospheric density, improving geostationary satellite orbits. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration praised this as the 'greatest improvement in atmospheric drag modeling over the last 30 years'.
Researchers at UC Davis are studying the Madden-Julian Oscillation to improve weather and climate forecasting. The phenomenon has subtle effects on US weather patterns, including links between intense rainfall and droughts.
Researchers discovered a link between GPS data and satellite images of the plasmasphere, allowing them to understand the ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere as a coupled system. The study provides a new understanding of space storms and their impact on Earth's upper atmosphere.
A recent study highlights the dangers of Solar Proton Events (SPEs) and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) on a manned Mars mission. The researcher recommends improving space weather monitoring and developing lightweight mechanisms to detect dangerous space weather, as well as creating more robust models for propagation over larger distances.
The newly completed field tests show that the new approach in coupling models can be successful, producing similar temperature and wind outputs globally. The ESMF enables sharing and comparison of alternative scientific approaches from multiple sources, making it easier to develop realistic representations of the Earth as a system.
Abed-rest study investigates the impact of space-like conditions on the human immune system, exploring possible causes of a compromised immune response. The study aims to provide valuable data for international efforts to plan long-duration missions and address health risks associated with chronic radiation exposure.
The American Geophysical Union issues a position statement warning that NASA's commitment to innovative Earth and space science programs is under threat due to new financial demands. This could lead to decimated effective programs and degraded capabilities in weather forecasting, search and rescue, and life and property protection.
A Purdue University study found that many tornadoes form from 'line-shaped' storms associated with large weather fronts, particularly in the Midwest. These tornadoes are more likely to occur late at night and in colder months, challenging traditional notions of severe weather patterns.
The Van Allen Radiation Belt Slot, considered a safe zone, filled with concentrated radiation during the October and November 2003 solar storms. The radiation surge was the most intense ever observed in this region, posing significant risks to spacecraft.
Researchers used a simple climate model to demonstrate that changes in the strength of winds in the stratosphere can cause changes in tropospheric weather systems. This understanding is crucial for improving seasonal weather forecasts and predicting the effects of ozone depletion and global warming on our climate.
The new Keck images capture unusual weather phenomena on Uranus, including a big southern hemisphere storm feature that seesaws over 5 degrees of latitude. The complex cloud formations vary dramatically in size, brightness, and longevity, with some dissipating completely within a month.
Researchers use the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array to monitor storm weakening and strengthening, improving severe weather detection. NASA's satellite technology provides near real-time data on severe weather and lightning strikes worldwide, aiming to reduce false alarms and improve forecasting accuracy.
A team led by Tohru Saito will install an upgraded weather station on Mt. McKinley, measuring relative humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed from an outcrop at 19,000 feet elevation. The station will transmit data every 30 minutes to IARC and be available worldwide.
The NCAR instrument provides unprecedented views of the solar corona's magnetic structures, enabling scientists to analyze magnetism in the corona and relate it to emerging features like prominences and coronal mass ejections. This data will aid space weather forecasters in predicting solar storms that can impact Earth's infrastructure.
Kenneth Baldwin will lead a $2.5 million NASA program to develop exercise programs for astronauts, addressing physical impacts of space travel. The research aims to enhance the new NASA Space Exploration Initiative, enabling humans to work for months on the International Space Station and potentially send humans to Mars.
New NASA technology enhances NOAA's weather forecasts by integrating satellite data and lightning tracking, leading to more confident seven-day severe local storm forecasts. This improved prediction capability can also enhance tornado warning lead times and better predict thunderstorm occurrence.
This AGU journal features research on space weather substorms, with a possible explanation for large magnetic fluctuations during the onset of a space weather substorm. Additionally, high frequency sea ice motion may affect Arctic dynamics, while tropical drought regions in global warming and El Nino teleconnections are also explored.
A study by Penn State found that users rate ease of use as crucial for using web-based road weather information systems, with map scale and resolution being key graphical elements. The study suggests that improving usability could increase public adoption of these systems.
The SeaWinds scatterometer on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite provides ocean surface wind speed and direction measurements, leading to improved storm predictions at sea. This increased accuracy brings economic savings and reduces weather-related loss of life, especially in global shipping.
NASA will conduct thousands of experiments at its new $34 million Space Radiation Laboratory to develop materials and countermeasures protecting spacecraft crews from harmful space radiation. The laboratory, built in cooperation with the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, simulates the harsh space environment.
Four IU computer science projects will develop new software systems to improve weather forecasting accuracy, protect scientist data, enable grid computing participation and make biomedical instruments accessible globally. These projects aim to increase research collaboration and accessibility.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research has been awarded $11.25 million to develop new weather forecasting tools, including the LEAD project. The tool will enable researchers to access state-of-the-art weather prediction models on demand and collaborate with colleagues in real-time.
The AMPS system uses a tailored computer model, Polar MM5, to provide detailed forecasts for the extreme polar environment. Meteorologists have successfully used AMPS in emergency rescues from Antarctica since 2001, including a recent medical evacuation and ship rescue.
The THEMIS mission aims to pinpoint the location of substorms that produce auroral eruptions. Five satellites will track the motion of plasma along the sun-Earth line, providing insights into the processing of solar wind energy. The mission has the potential to resolve a long-standing problem in understanding space weather.
Researchers have detected layers of high-level moisture and cirrus clouds using NCAR's instrument package, indicating a significant impact on long-term climate. These clouds, often missed by standard weather balloons and sensors, can warm the planet and trap radiation.
Jeneene Sams, a NASA space product manager, works with companies to conduct experiments in space that improve their products and ultimately people's lives. She sponsors two commercial experiments: one on growing zeolite crystals that can store hydrogen, a pollution-free fuel, and another testing a fire-fighting system in microgravity.
Large planetary waves in the atmosphere led to a smaller Antarctic ozone hole in 2002. However, scientists emphasize that these weather patterns do not indicate the ozone layer is recovering and may return to previous sizes next year.
A partnership between Navy and National Severe Storms Laboratory aims to improve weather forecasting by integrating SPY-1 radar with existing Doppler technology. The new phased array radar can provide faster updates of weather features, allowing for more detailed scans and increased lead time before tornadoes strike.
A team led by Zhang aims to improve daily weather forecasts by integrating vast amounts of observational data. Ensemble-based data assimilation focuses on incorporating uncertainties surrounding previous forecasts and current observations, using statistics to estimate initial conditions.
The University of Houston has a rich history of space research, with contributions to NASA's Exobiology Program and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers are planning to go back to the moon and Mars to develop space outposts.
Scientists are developing a new space weather model that can mimic solar explosions, auroras, and geomagnetic storms. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) will provide a computer model of Earth's upper atmosphere to aid the effort.
Space weather events, caused by solar storms, are damaging satellites and power grids due to increasing technological challenges. Scientists are working on predicting and mitigating these effects with new observations, simulations, and predictive models.
The COSMIC satellite network will collect a global, 3-D data set, improving analyses of both weather and climate change. The satellites will probe the atmosphere using radio occultation to track temperature in the upper atmosphere and measure high-altitude electron density.
Space motion sickness affects 70% of first-time space travelers, causing nausea, vomiting, and cognitive impairment. Researchers are testing four drugs to find a safe alternative that reduces symptoms without affecting reaction time or memory.
John Uri, a NASA scientist, has led research on the International Space Station since childhood. He oversaw 52 investigations in various scientific disciplines, including medical research and material science.
Scientists have improved weather and climate forecast models by using new Terra data to measure albedo, revealing regional variability in the Sahara Desert and Arabian Peninsula. This correlation will help fine-tune weather and climate models, enabling more accurate predictions.
The Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) successfully predicted a brief window of favorable weather, allowing helicopters to bring the last passengers aboard. The forecasting support helped guide the ice-strengthened ship SA Agulhas to retrieve the stranded vessel and crew from near Antarctica.
NASA is investing $22.8 million in 11 research teams to develop software infrastructure for climate and space science modeling. The partnerships aim to create a framework that enables seamless sharing, reuse, and comparison of scientific approaches from multiple sources.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has won a $3.8 million NASA grant to develop the core software for an Earth System Modeling Framework. The framework will enable models to work together, assimilate observational data, and produce more realistic simulations of weather and climate.
NASA's new Microgravity Science Glovebox will enhance the Space Station's science capabilities by providing a facility for safely working with fluids, flames, particles, and fumes. The glovebox supports low-cost, small investigations from multiple disciplines, including materials science and biotechnology.
A massive weather study is underway in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, using six aircraft and 30 ground sensors to track water vapor and predict heavy rain. The IHOP2002 project aims to improve forecasts from 1 to 12 hours ahead of heavy rain, which could help in flash-flood safety and other applications.
Scientists discuss advancements in predicting extreme weather events, analyzing changes in global snow and ice cover, and the challenges of global environmental monitoring. New data from NASA's Earth-observing spacecraft reveal complex patterns in climate change and its effects on our planet.
Penn State meteorologists have combined weather data from airports, weather stations and sensors to create a more detailed picture of weather conditions in the state. The project aims to provide real-time displays of observations and user-specific products for various industries, including agribusiness and the power industry.
Astronauts experience orthostatic intolerance after space flight, characterized by lightheadedness and dizziness. UT Southwestern researchers found that heart shrinking and becoming stiff is the primary cause, contrary to previous research suggesting a malfunction of the sympathetic nervous system.
A new suite of experiments will be delivered to the International Space Station by Space Shuttle Endeavour, broadening scientific research onboard the orbiting space laboratory. The experiments are expected to lead to insights in various fields such as bone disorder treatments, plant growth, and cancer cell formation.
A recent study by NASA researchers analyzed global weather stations and satellite observations to identify minimal local human influence. They found larger warming at urban stations on average, but used rural stations to adjust the records for a more accurate climate change measure.
Researchers have discovered a new source of information to aid in weather forecasting, leveraging shifts in stratospheric winds to predict surface weather two months in advance. The study reveals that changes in the stratosphere can influence storm tracks and extreme cold events in the Northern hemisphere.
Researchers are developing a compact machine called AMPDXA to precision measure tissue mass, bone density and geometry. This instrument will aid in preventing weakened bones and fractures for astronauts returning to Earth or landing on another planet.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have developed a system to measure magnetic and electrical fields over large areas of the ionosphere, providing the first continuous monitoring of electric currents between space and the upper atmosphere. The advanced system will enable improved understanding and foreca...